Patent GB-1334445-A (GB)
Title: Recording and reproducing apparatus using magnetic tape  cassette
IPC: G11B15/675
Filed: 1971-09-09
Abstract: 1334445 Tape cassette recording and playback apparatus SONY CORP 9 Sept 1971 [11 Sept 1970 (2)] 42147/71 Heading G5R Tape cassette recording/playback apparatus includes a cassette loading mechanism comprising a frame 36 which is mounted on a chassis 31 for movement on an inclined path from an elevated cassette-loading position, Figs. 4, 5, downwardly and forwardly to a lowered operative position, Fig. 9, the frame 36 having guides 43 for slidably receiving a cassette 10 and further having a magnetic head 44 and a pinch roller 46 secured thereon; and a cassette-locating member 81 on the chassis 31 which locates a cassette 10 received in the guides 43 in vertical registry above reel drive shafts 55, 56, a capstan 58 and two locating pins 59, 60 projecting upwardly from the chassis 31, and which constrains the cassette 10 to move vertically downward when the frame 36 is lowered to its operative position, thereby engaging the head 44 and the pinch roller 46 with the tape in the cassette 10. The frame 36 is movably mounted on the chassis 31 by means of pivotally connected links 38, 39, and is lowered against the action of a spring 69 by depressing a pivoted, spring- biased handle 72, Fig. 5, to engage pins 79 thereon with surfaces 80 of the front links 38. The frame 36 is held in its lowered position by a pivoted, spring-biased latch 92, Fig. 9, which engages a pin 97 depending from the frame 36. The latch 92 is disengaged by longitudinal movement of an elongated control member 106 having an oblique end 110 engageable with a pin 104 of the latch 92. The frame 36 is then raised by the spring 69. The cassette-locating member 81 is pivoted to the chassis 31 and includes rear stop elements 88 and rearwardly downwardly inclined stop elements 89. The cassette 10 is formed with raised plateaux (25), Fig. 2 (not shown), along the rear edge and on the top and bottom surfaces. Stop elements 89 ride over the upper plateau (25), lifting the member 81, and then drop to engage in front of the plateau (25). A cassette blocking and ejecting member 62 is pivotally mounted on the frame 36 and is forwardly urged by a spring 67. Member 62 includes a pin 65 which is initially received in a slot 90 of the locating member 81. Pin 65 is rearwardly released from the slot 90 only when member 81 is lifted by cassette plateau (25), thereby ensuring correct cassette insertion. Prior to cassette ejection, pin 65 lifts the locating member 81 as the frame 36 is raised, to disengage stop elements 89. Cassette 10 is ejected by spring 67. Complete ejection is avoided by a door (156), Figs. 12, 13 (not shown), one edge (161) of which engages the lower plateau (25) of the cassette. A belt-driven wheel 121, Fig. 9, is secured on the capstan 58 and normally also drives the take-up reel shaft 55 through an idler wheel 123. An idler wheel 131 is also engageable with capstan flywheel 120 for fast drive of either shaft 55 or 56, through idler wheels 131, 144, 146 which are interlinked by gear-wheels 148-150 and mounted on a link 142. Link 142 is pivoted to one end of a bell crank 134, which is normally positioned by a lug 141 of frame 36 with the wheel 131 spaced from the flywheel 120. Lateral movement of the control member 106 pivots the link 142 through a spring 151 embracing a wheel shaft 143, and also moves frame 136 backwards a small distance, which is permitted because latch pin 97 is mounted on a pivoted arm 99. Lug 141 then disengages bell crank 134 to permit wheel 131 to engage the flywheel 120, while idler wheel 123 is disengaged through a pin 154 which rocks idler arm 127.